The name may be Walker but he’s running hot.

Unheralded Nelson rider Reece Walker stunned the motocross community at the weekend’s 53rd annual New Zealand Motocross Grand Prix at Woodville, the 14-year-old taking his No.244 Yamaha YZ125 to set the fastest qualifying time in the 12-14 years’ 125cc class and then following that up by demolishing the competition in racing proper.

Walker was unbeatable in the class, scoring a hat-trick of wins to finish the weekend convincingly ahead of fellow Yamaha ace Wyatt Chase, of Taupo, and Te Puke’s Tyler Steiner (KTM 125).

It represented a startling turnaround for Walker, who had battled his way to a fifth overall ranking at the New Zealand Junior Motocross Championship near New Plymouth last April.

“I never seem to do any good at the nationals … I never seem to have much luck, but winning here is a big deal,” said Walker, who will shortly start as a year 10 pupil at Nelson Boys’ High School.

“I crashed too often at the nationals, although I managed to get third in one race, on my back-up practice bike.”

However, Walker was rock-solid at Woodville and never once looked uncomfortable as he led the country’s elite young racers to the chequered flag.

Walker credits his mentor, former World Championships Grand Prix star Josh Coppins, with much of the improvement he has shown on recent weeks.

“I have done a lot of training lately with Yamaha’s Josh Coppins and that has helped a lot. I picked up plenty of things from him and also from riding with (Queenstown’s national 250cc champion) Scott Columb.

“The competition is a lot tougher in the North Island with so many more fast riders up here but Josh has helped me over that psychological hurdle.

“Even when I was winning my races at Woodville, I still continued to push hard because, if I slowed down too much I’d make mistakes.”

If Walker can continue to ride mistake-free, there is no doubt he’ll be a title contender at the 2014 nationals later this year.

Look out for the Walker surname to again feature among the country’s sporting frontrunners.

© Words and photo by Andy McGechan, www.BikesportNZ.com

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